Apparatus and method for controlling telephony endpoints

Abstract

An apparatus and method that uses a computer interposed between the telephony endpoint and the telecommunication system controlling that telephony end point.

1. A method for providing telephony operations, comprising the steps of:
 registering on a telephony gatekeeper via a network by a computer as a telephony endpoint whereby the computer identifies itself to the telephony gatekeeper as the telephony endpoint; 
 registering by the computer the telephony endpoint on the computer in response to a request from the telephony endpoint received via the network; and 
 providing telephony operations to the telephony endpoint by the computer in response to information from the telephony gatekeeper. 
 
     
     
       2. The method of  claim 1  further comprises the steps of registering on a telephony gatekeeper via a network by a computer as another telephony endpoint and;
 registering the other telephony endpoint on the computer in response to a request from the other telephony endpoint received via the network. 
 
     
     
       3. The method of  claim 2  wherein the step of providing comprises the step of conferencing the telephony endpoints together. 
     
     
       4. The method of  claim 2  wherein the step of providing comprises the steps of controlling the telephony endpoints to appear to function as if a single entity; and
 allowing a user of the telephony endpoints to control operations of the telephony endpoints via an visual interface of the computer. 
 
     
     
       5. The method of  claim 4  wherein the step of controlling comprises the step of presenting the telephony endpoints to a user as sharing line appearances of a single telephone set. 
     
     
       6. The method of  claim 1  further comprises the steps of implementing a softphone on the computer; and
 registering on the telephony gatekeeper the softphone by the computer. 
 
     
     
       7. The method of  claim 6  wherein the step of providing comprises the step of conferencing the telephony endpoint and softphone together. 
     
     
       8. The method of  claim 6  wherein the step of providing comprises the steps of controlling the telephony endpoint and the softphone to appear to function as if a single entity; and
 allowing a user of the telephony endpoint and softphone to control operations of the telephony endpoint and softphone via an visual interface of the computer. 
 
     
     
       9. The method of  claim 8  wherein the step of controlling comprises the step of presenting the telephony endpoints to a user as sharing line appearances of a single telephone set. 
     
     
       10. The method of  claim 2  further comprises the steps of implementing a softphone on the computer; and
 registering on the telephony gatekeeper the softphone by the computer. 
 
     
     
       11. The method of  claim 10  wherein the step of providing comprises the steps of controlling the telephony endpoints and the softphone to appear to function as if a single entity; and
 allowing a user of the telephony endpoints and softphone to control operations of the telephony endpoints and softphone via an visual interface of the computer. 
 
     
     
       12. The method of  claim 1  wherein the step of providing comprises the steps of converting visual call status information to audio call status information; and
 presenting the audio call status information on the telephony endpoint whereby an visually impaired person can use the telephony endpoint. 
 
     
     
       13. The method of  claim 1  further comprises connecting to a server by the computer;
 accessing information from the server by the computer for the telephony endpoint; and 
 presenting the accessed information on the telephony endpoint to a user of the telephony endpoint. 
 
     
     
       14. The method of  claim 13  wherein the accessed information is presented as audio information. 
     
     
       15. The method of  claim 13  wherein the accessed information is presented as textual information. 
     
     
       16. The method of  claim 13  wherein the telephony endpoint is an IP telephone set having buttons for defining operations and the method further comprises the steps of actuating one of the buttons by a user; and
 the step of accessing responsive to the actuated button to access the accessed information. 
 
     
     
       17. The method of  claim 1  wherein the step of providing comprises the step of redirecting an incoming call for the telephony endpoint to another telephony endpoint. 
     
     
       18. The method of  claim 1  wherein the step of providing comprises the step of recording audio information communicated during calls of the telephony endpoint. 
     
     
       19. The method of  claim 1  wherein the step of providing comprises the step of recording textual information communicated during calls of the telephony endpoint. 
     
     
       20. A method for providing telephony operations, comprising the steps of:
 registering on a telephony gatekeeper via a network by a server as a plurality of telephony endpoints whereby the server identifies itself as each of the plurality of telephony endpoints to the telephony gatekeeper; 
 registering by the server each of the plurality of telephony endpoints on the server in response to a request from each of the plurality of telephony endpoints received via the network; and 
 providing telephony operations to the plurality of telephony endpoints by the server in response to information from the telephony gatekeeper. 
 
     
     
       21. The method of  claim 20  wherein the step of providing comprises the step of conferencing a set of the plurality of telephony endpoints together. 
     
     
       22. The method of  claim 20  where in the step of providing comprises the steps of controlling a set of the plurality of telephony endpoints to appear to function as if a single entity. 
     
     
       23. The method of  claim 22  wherein the step of controlling comprises the step of presenting the set of the plurality of telephony endpoints to a user as sharing line appearances of a single telephone set. 
     
     
       24. The method of  claim 20  wherein one of the plurality of telephony endpoints is a computer and the method further comprises the steps of implementing a softphone on the computer. 
     
     
       25. The method of  claim 24  wherein the step of providing comprises the step of conferencing a set of the plurality of telephony endpoints and softphone together. 
     
     
       26. The method of  claim 24  wherein the step of providing comprises the steps of controlling a set of the plurality of telephony endpoints and the softphone to appear to function as if a single entity; and
 allowing a user of the computer to control operations of the endpoint and softphone via an visual interface of the computer. 
 
     
     
       27. The method of  claim 26  wherein the step of controlling comprises the step of presenting the set of the plurality of telephony endpoints to a user as sharing line appearances of a single telephone set. 
     
     
       28. The method of  claim 20  wherein the step of providing comprises the steps of converting visual call status information to audio call status information for one of the plurality of telephony endpoints; and
 presenting the audio call status information on the one of the plurality of telephony endpoints whereby an visually impaired person can use the one of the plurality of telephony endpoints. 
 
     
     
       29. The method of  claim 20  further comprises connecting to a database by the server;
 accessing information from the database by the server for one of the plurality of telephony endpoints; and 
 presenting the accessed information on the one of the plurality of telephony endpoints to a user of the one of the plurality of telephony endpoints. 
 
     
     
       30. The method of  claim 29  wherein the accessed information is presented as audio information. 
     
     
       31. The method of  claim 29  wherein the accessed information is presented as textual information. 
     
     
       32. The method of  claim 29  wherein the one of the plurality of telephony endpoints is an IP telephone set having buttons for defining operations and the method further comprises the steps of actuating one of the buttons by a user; and
 the step of accessing responsive to the actuated button to access the accessed information. 
 
     
     
       33. The method of  claim 29  wherein the one of the plurality of telephony endpoints is an IP telephone set having buttons for defining operations and the method further comprises the steps of actuating one of the buttons by a user; and
 performing telephony operations independent of the telephony gatekeeper for the IP telephone by server in response to the actuated button to access the accessed information. 
 
     
     
       34. The method of  claim 20  wherein the step of providing comprises the step of redirecting an incoming call for one of the plurality of telephony endpoints to another telephony endpoint. 
     
     
       35. The method of  claim 20  wherein the step of providing comprises the step of recording audio information communicated during calls of a set of the plurality of telephony endpoints. 
     
     
       36. The method of  claim 20  wherein the step of providing comprises the step of recording textual information communicated during calls of the set of the plurality of telephony endpoints. 
     
     
       37. A tangible computer-readable medium comprising computer-executable instructions stored in a computer and executed by the computer configured for:
 registering on a telephony gatekeeper via a network by the computer as a telephony endpoint whereby the computer identifies itself to the telephony gatekeeper as the telephony endpoint; 
 registering the telephony endpoint on the computer in response to a request from the telephony endpoint received via the network; and 
 providing telephony operations to the telephony endpoint by the computer in response to information from the telephony gatekeeper. 
 
     
     
       38. The computer-readable medium of  claim 37  further comprises registering on a telephony gatekeeper via a network by a computer as another telephony endpoint and;
 registering the other telephony endpoint on the computer in response to a request from the other telephony endpoint received via the network. 
 
     
     
       39. The computer-readable medium of  claim 38  wherein the providing comprises conferencing the telephony endpoints together. 
     
     
       40. The computer readable medium of  claim 38  wherein the providing comprises controlling the telephony endpoints to appear to function as if a single entity; and
 allowing a user of the telephony endpoints to control operations of the telephony endpoints via an visual interface of the computer. 
 
     
     
       41. The computer-readable medium of  claim 40  wherein the controlling comprises presenting the telephony endpoints to a user as sharing line appearances of a single telephone set. 
     
     
       42. The computer-readable medium of  claim 37  further comprises implementing a softphone on the computer; and
 registering on the telephony gatekeeper the softphone by the computer. 
 
     
     
       43. The computer-readable medium of  claim 42  wherein the providing comprises conferencing the telephony endpoint and softphone together. 
     
     
       44. The computer-readable medium of  claim 42  wherein the providing comprises controlling the telephony endpoint and the softphone to appear to function as if a single entity; and
 allowing a user of the telephony endpoint and softphone to control operations of the telephony endpoint and softphone via an visual interface of the computer. 
 
     
     
       45. The computer-readable medium of  claim 44  wherein the controlling comprises presenting the telephony endpoints to a user as sharing line appearances of a single telephone set. 
     
     
       46. The computer-readable medium of  claim 38  further comprises implementing a softphone on the computer; and
 registering on the telephony gatekeeper the softphone by the computer. 
 
     
     
       47. The computer-readable medium of  claim 46  wherein the providing comprises controlling the telephony endpoints and the softphone to appear to function as if a single entity; and
 allowing a user of the telephony endpoints and softphone to control operations of the telephony endpoints and softphone via an visual interface of the computer. 
 
     
     
       48. The computer-readable medium of  claim 37  wherein the providing comprises converting visual call status information to audio call status information; and
 presenting the audio call status information on the telephony endpoint whereby an visually impaired person can use the telephony endpoint. 
 
     
     
       49. The computer-readable medium of  claim 37  further comprises connecting to a server by the computer;
 accessing information from the server by the computer for the telephony endpoint; and 
 presenting the accessed information on the telephony endpoint to a user of the telephony endpoint. 
 
     
     
       50. The computer-readable medium of  claim 49  wherein the accessed information is presented as audio information. 
     
     
       51. The computer-readable medium of  claim 49  wherein the accessed information is presented as textual information. 
     
     
       52. The computer-readable medium of  claim 49  wherein the telephony endpoint is an IP telephone set having buttons for defining operations and the computer-readable medium further comprises actuating one of the buttons by a user; and
 the accessing responsive to the actuated button to access the accessed information. 
 
     
     
       53. The computer-readable medium of  claim 37  wherein the providing comprises redirecting an incoming call for the telephony endpoint to another telephony endpoint. 
     
     
       54. The computer-readable medium of  claim 37  wherein the providing comprises recording audio information communicated during calls of the telephony endpoint. 
     
     
       55. The computer-readable medium of  claim 37  wherein the providing comprises recording textual information communicated during calls of the telephony endpoint. 
     
     
       56. A tangible computer-readable medium, comprising computer-executable instructions stored in a server and executed by the server, configured for:
 registering on a telephony gatekeeper via a network by the server as a plurality of telephony endpoints whereby the server identifies itself as each of the plurality of telephony endpoints to the telephony gatekeeper; 
 registering each of the plurality of telephony endpoints on the server in response to a request from each of the plurality of telephony endpoints received via the network; and 
 providing telephony operations to the plurality of telephony endpoints by the server in response to information from the telephony gatekeeper. 
 
     
     
       57. The computer-readable medium of  claim 56  wherein the providing comprises conferencing a set of the plurality of telephony endpoints together. 
     
     
       58. The computer-readable medium of  claim 56  wherein the providing comprises controlling a set of the plurality of telephony endpoints to appear to function as if a single entity. 
     
     
       59. The computer-readable medium of  claim 58  wherein the controlling comprises presenting the set of the plurality of telephony endpoints to a user as sharing line appearances of a single telephone set. 
     
     
       60. The computer-readable medium of  claim 56  wherein one of the plurality of telephony endpoints is a computer and the computer-readable medium further comprises implementing a softphone on the computer. 
     
     
       61. The computer-readable medium of  claim 60  wherein the providing comprises conferencing a set of the plurality of telephony endpoints and softphone together. 
     
     
       62. The computer-readable medium of  claim 60  where in the providing comprises controlling a set of the plurality of telephony endpoints and the softphone to appear to function as if a single entity; and
 allowing a user of the computer to control operations of the endpoint and softphone via an visual interface of the computer. 
 
     
     
       63. The computer-readable medium of  claim 62  wherein the controlling comprises presenting the set of the plurality of telephony endpoints to a user as sharing line appearances of a single telephone set. 
     
     
       64. The computer-readable medium of  claim 56  wherein the providing comprises converting visual call status information to audio call status information for one of the plurality of telephony endpoints; and
 presenting the audio call status information on the one of the plurality of telephony endpoints whereby an visually impaired person can use the one of the plurality of telephony endpoints. 
 
     
     
       65. The computer readable medium of  claim 56  further comprises connecting to a database by the server;
 accessing information from the database by the server for one of the plurality of telephony endpoints; and 
 presenting the accessed information on the one of the plurality of telephony endpoints to a user of the one of the plurality of telephony endpoints. 
 
     
     
       66. The computer-readable medium of  claim 65  wherein the accessed information is presented as audio information. 
     
     
       67. The computer-readable medium of  claim 65  wherein the accessed information is presented as textual information. 
     
     
       68. The computer-readable medium of  claim 65  wherein the one of the plurality of telephony endpoints is an IP telephone set having buttons for defining operations and the computer-readable medium further comprises actuating one of the buttons by a user; and
 the accessing responsive to the actuated button to access the accessed information. 
 
     
     
       69. The computer-readable medium of  claim 65  wherein the one of the plurality of telephony endpoints is an IP telephone set having buttons for defining operations and the computer-readable medium further comprises actuating one of the buttons by a user; and
 performing telephony operations independent of the telephony gatekeeper for the IP telephone by server in response to the actuated button to access the accessed information. 
 
     
     
       70. The computer-readable medium of  claim 56  wherein the providing comprises redirecting an incoming call for one of the plurality of telephony endpoints to another telephony endpoint. 
     
     
       71. The computer-readable medium of  claim 56  wherein the providing comprises recording audio information communicated during calls of a set of the plurality of telephony endpoints. 
     
     
       72. The computer-readable medium of  claim 56  wherein the providing comprises recording textual information communicated during calls of the set of the plurality of telephony endpoints.